To the people of Japan, winning the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany brings forth joy, a sense patriotism, top-level sportsmanship and even physical survival.
To the two-time world champions USA, the only nation who has reached the semi-final of all six editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, their bowing to the Nadeshiko or pink mountain flowers in the July 17 finale means someone is finally catching up to them.
To Asians who for the time witnessed their fellow Asians Japan represent them on the highest stage of a World Cup at any level, the hard-fought winning proves that ‘Asians have landed’.
People all over the world embrace the news of the new champions Japan and their statements and sentiments will be captured forever in the annals of history.
And Japan’s colossal struggle to ‘come back through football’ from the March tsunami-earthquake disasters and resultant nuclear crisis has inspired many people especially those on whom natural calamity and other great challenges have descended.
The-afc.com has therefore recorded below some of the most memorable, inspirational quotes from people all over the world – from a Japanese florist and an American writer to the US Secretary of State and Japan Prime Minister:
Every time Japan got knocked down, they got to their feet again. They did not want to stop fighting for the disaster victims. – Akiko Shirai, Japanese florist
I cannot believe this. We never gave up and played until the last minute. I just kept running until the last moment. We have given all we had. I have always aimed to become world number one and it is hard to believe this is real. – Homare Sawa, Japan captain
Maybe their country needed them to win more than our country needed us to win. – Abby Wambach, USA striker
This is a great day for Asian football. The Nadeshiko have made us all immensely proud. They have shown what is possible if one has the resolve, determination and persistence. – Zhang Jilong, AFC Senior Vice President
I feel we have given some kind of encouragement and joy to the people back in Japan. That was always the motivation. – Ayumi Kaihori, Japan goalkeeper
We could really feel the power from everyone in Japan watching on TV. I’m stunned. – Norio Sasaki, Japan coach
I’m amazed. I just smacked it as hard as I could. – Saki Kumagai, Japan’s winning penalty kicker
I truly believe that something bigger was pulling for this team. – Hope Solo, USA goalkeeper
I can’t believe it. We have the gold because we never stopped fighting and believing in ourselves. – Homare Sawa, Japan captain
I’m not sure that I can say that I like it, but yes, it’s one of the chances that goalkeepers get to be a hero. – Ayumi Kaihori, Japan goalkeeper
This will help brighten the atmosphere at the temporary housing complex. It will boost our efforts to hang on. – Katsuo Mori, 74, March tsunami victim in Natori, Japan
Women are strong. I believe women will arrange stronger in the future. – Yoshiko Saito, 50, March tsunami victim in Natori, Japan
While we were privileged to play football, we really felt like bringing smiles and spirits back to Japan. – Homare Sawa, Japan captain
Deep down inside, I thought it was our destiny to win it. But maybe it was Japan's. – Carli Lloyd, USA midfielder
Teams are catching up to us. We can see that. – Ali Krieger, USA defender
We had been in penalty kicks previously against Brazil, and we had a good feeling tonight going into the penalty kicks. But that just proves what a small difference there is between a really good penalty kick and a not-so-good one. – Pia Sundhage, USA coach
The Japanese showed a lot of passion and a lot of fight. I don’t say that about many teams but I have an awful lot of respect for them. They played for a lot more than sport. They played for so many good and wonderful reasons. – Abby Wambach, USA striker
The Women’s World Cup is just another example of the influx of the power of Asian sports influencing the world. – Gary Novis Gray, Black Athlete Sports Network staff reporter
Japan's game-tying goal was nothing short of brilliant, the equivalent of a touchdown (in American football) in which a defensive back covers a wideout well only to have the quarterback throw a pinpoint pass where only his receiver could catch it. – Jose de Jesus Ortiz, Houston Chronicle writer
We were not happy with the result but we were very impressed by the Japanese team – Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State
This is very tough for us to take because we came so close, though I think that Japan have suffered so much and needed to win more than we did. I’d like to think that this win can bring a little hope and joy to the Japanese people. – Abby Wambach, USA striker
The team from the Rising Sun would not break, would not bend. The Japanese were playing for higher stakes, like a broken country, they were playing for millions of broken hearts; they were playing to uplift a nation. Motivation can be the great equalizer in sports. – Gary Novis Gray, Black Athlete Sports Network staff reporter
I felt the whole of Japan smile. – Homare Sawa’s mother
The players have showed the brilliance of Japanese women. – Junji Ogura, Japan Football Association President
Nadeshiko Japan's play made me think I should not give up but must hold out as long as there are things that need to be done. – Naoto Kan, Japan Prime Minister
- Zam Yusa